keep your mouth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep your mouth" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts where someone is being advised or instructed to remain silent or not speak about something. Example: "During the meeting, I suggest you keep your mouth shut about the project until we have more information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just keep your mouth shut".

The New York Times - Sports

Please keep your mouth shut.

The New York Times - Magazine

"But keep your mouth shut".

The New York Times

Keep your mouth shut, woman!

The Guardian

Keep your mouth wet, feet dry.

The New York Times - Books

"Keep your mouth shut," she snarled.

The Guardian - Books

"Fish teach you to keep your mouth shut.

The New Yorker

The key, she said, is to keep your mouth closed.

The New York Times

You do your job and you keep your mouth shut.

The New York Times

Hold on... hold on... keep your mouth shut.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"When in doubt, keep your mouth shut," Ms. Thacker said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keep your mouth" when directly instructing someone to be silent, especially when secrecy or discretion is important.

Common error

While "keep your mouth" is commonly understood, avoid using it in highly formal or professional contexts where a more polite or tactful phrasing like "please refrain from commenting" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep your mouth" primarily functions as an imperative, directly instructing someone to be silent. It's a command or strong suggestion to refrain from speaking. Ludwig AI indicates this is a common and acceptable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

32%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "keep your mouth" is a common and grammatically correct imperative used to instruct someone to be silent. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. While widely understood, it's more appropriate for informal settings; formal situations may require more polite alternatives. Its function centers on ensuring discretion or preventing unwanted speech. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki sources, demonstrating its broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold your tongue

Suggests restraining oneself from speaking, often to avoid saying something inappropriate or offensive.

stay quiet

Indicates a temporary state of silence, often in response to a specific situation.

bite your tongue

Similar to 'hold your tongue' but can also imply suppressing a witty or sarcastic remark.

say nothing

A direct command to not utter a word.

remain silent

Emphasizes a general state of not speaking, often in formal contexts.

don't breathe a word

Instructs someone to keep a secret absolutely, emphasizing the importance of silence.

clam up

Suggests becoming suddenly silent, often due to nervousness or fear.

button your lip

Similar to "zip your lip", this idiom is used to tell someone to stop talking.

zip your lip

An informal and playful way to tell someone to be quiet.

mum's the word

Implies a secret agreement to keep something confidential.

FAQs

How can I politely ask someone to be quiet?

Instead of directly telling someone to "keep your mouth", you could say "please be quiet", "could you keep it down", or "would you mind being a little quieter" depending on the situation.

When is it appropriate to use "keep your mouth"?

It's suitable in informal settings when you want to strongly advise someone to remain silent, especially if there's a risk of them revealing sensitive information or causing trouble. Consider alternatives like "remain silent" or "hold your tongue" for more formal situations.

What does "keep your mouth" mean in the context of safety?

In safety instructions, such as during a sewer tour, "keep your mouth" means to avoid ingesting anything that could be harmful, emphasizing the need for caution and hygiene. An alternative in this case could be "avoid ingestion".

Is "keep your mouth" rude?

Yes, "keep your mouth" can be perceived as rude, especially if said abruptly or without context. It's more direct and less polite than alternatives like "please be silent" or "hold your peace", which offer a gentler way to request silence.